Scholarships for Dalit children are seen as enabling incentivesprovided by the State to facilitate their education, but there can bea flip side too to these incentives, as an essay included in 'Blockedby Caste: Economic Discrimination in Modern India' (www.oup.com)reveals.

"Ironically, to claim incentives under affirmative action programmesand facilitate inclusion, those who have suffered from disadvantagemust publicly proclaim identities that are still the target ofdiscriminatory practices. They are often required to do so in theschool assembly and before their classmates, ostensibly to'facilitate' their identification as SC students and thereafter toreceive fellowships and other incentives."

Findings of Nambissan's survey show that the majority reported ofhaving 'suffered considerable anguish their identities are broughtinto public 'gaze' again and yet again, and they are constantly at thereceiving end of disparaging barbs from peers, office staff, as wellas teachers.'

Disappointed that caste-based discrimination in education does notfind a mention in policy documents, the exploratory study discussed inthe essay discovers that exclusionary practices continue to flourishin the spheres of water and food, the traditionally potent sites ofdiscrimination.

Disturbing examples include: 'the washing of taps after Dalits drinkwater and forcing them to give right of way to general castestudents,' and not permitting 'Dalit children to enter the mid-daymeal kitchen while it was possible for other caste children to do so,making it easier for the latter to ask for and receive an extrahelping.'

Teachers and school administrators have a responsibility in building aculture within schools that encourages participation of children fromhitherto educationally deprived and socially discriminated groups andan environment that values their dignity and provides social respect,the author urges.

The book, edited by Sukhadeo Thorat and Katherine S. Newman, with aforeword by Kaushik Basu, has insightful other essays, too, on topicsranging from jobs to markets, from health care to property rights.

PARBAT, Dec 25: Getting calls to take away the dead bodies of cow, oxor buffalo for feast have become a thing of the past for members ofthe Dalit community here.

Dalits living at southern VDCs in Parbat—Pakhapani, Beulibash,Saraukhola, Huwas and Bhorle—no longer eat animal corpses that theyhad been doing since time immemorial.

The change was possible after children took initiatives. Self-StruggleChild Group, an active local organisation of children based at HuwasVDC, spread awareness among Dalits against eating animal corpses.

Of the 14 Dalit families at Huwas, hardly two eat animal carcasses,said Jaumaya Hitan, chairperson of the group. We punish those foundeating the dead bodies of animals, she said.

"Not only in Huwas, Dalits of other VDCs have also quit the traditionof consuming animal carcasses."

There are more changes. The once dirty Dalit settlements have becomeclean now and Dalit husbands, who used to drink alcohol, have given updrinking.

"Dalit villages boast of clean environment. Equally, peace prevailshere," said Surya Thapa, another member of the child group.

Those, who drank like sailors and showed non-cooperative attitudes inthe past, have been working with their families in unison quittingalcohol, she added.

This was the gist of new BJP president Nitin Gadkari's message to hisparty's leaders and workers at his press conference on Thursday — hisfirst after taking over.

"We should all do something on the ground for the poor, the Dalits andthe suffering farmers," said Gadkari (52). Antodaya is giving priorityto the last person in the queue. It should be our objective. I'd likeevery BJP member to be actively involved with vikas (development) andseva (service) in his or her area."

He pointed out that he had done so himself in Nagpur (from where hehails), setting up projects to help around 500 widows of Vidarbhafarmers who committed suicide.

Taking over at a time when the BJP has faced repeated electorallosses, and is plagued by internal dissension, Gadkari seemed keen todeflect the party's focus from power grabbing to social service.

"What are we waiting for?" he asked. "Power? We can change thescenario even without being in power. Let's do something for the poorright away."

The new president's renewed focus on the poor could well be an attemptto match Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's repeated forays into backward andDalit areas. But Gadkari was generous to his Congress rival. "It's agood thing. Karne dijiye. Meri Shubh kamnayen. (Let him continue. Mygood wishes)," he replied when asked about Rahul's efforts.

Facing a volley of questions on issues like Hindutva and the Ramtemple at Ayodhya, Gadkari steadfastly refused to get provoked. "Ourstand is known," he said. "A new president does not mean our ideologyhas changed."

Gadkari's measured, low-key remarks seemed a deliberate strategy todraw attention from himself, while he set about rebuilding the party.He promised a new work culture. "Indiscipline will not be tolerated,"he said.

There will be quick decisions, wide consultations and performanceaudit at every level."

The state convener of Karnataka Dalit Sangharsha SamitiVenkatagiriyayya called upon farmers to wage a struggle againstacquisition of agricultural lands by the government.

new light: State convener of Dalit Sangharsha Samiti Venkatagiriyayyainaugurating a convention organised to mark the death anniversary of BR Ambedkar in Kolar on Thursday. dh photo"These are the times ofregistering cases against farmers who stage a peaceful dharna in frontof the Deputy Commissioner's office. Hence, a struggle on a largerscale is imperative to redress issues such as acquisition ofagricultural lands. The problems of farmers will not be addressed bytoned-down protests," he said at a convention organised to mark thedeath anniversary of Dr B R Ambedkar here on Thursday.

Vested interests

Congress, BJP and JD(S), which declared construction of "SwabhimanaKarnataka"as their sole objective are now working against the purpose.The sole purpose of the principal political parties is to create arift in Dalit classes. False cases are being registered against Dalitswho demand their legitimate rights.

Vested interests of the caste system are raising their ugly head onceagain and attempts are being made to suppress the Dalit classes whichstand against exploitation. "None of the political parties is ready tocheck this sort of oppression. On account of this, several organisedstruggles have not succeeded in heralding a change," he observed.

The political parties succeeded in fuelling dissidence in Dalitorganisation by offering prime posts to leaders. Those in the vanguardof the Dalit movement who raised their voice against exploitationbecame mute spectators. Reports submitted by several committees onatrocities on Dalit have been neglected by ruling establishments.

Farmers neglected

While the Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has declared a grant of Rs 70crore to Rashtrottana Parishat which propagates the Manu philosophy, SM Krishna, during his tenure as the chief minister waived off awhopping sum of Rs 300 crore which should have paid by arrackcontractors as tax. However, no benefit has accrued to the farmers bythese measures.

Even as Dalits were becoming aware of the reservation, the governmentshesitated to implement reservation in private sector. The services ofthe people who secured job by furnishing false caste certificates havebeen regularised. While Constitution provides 18 pc reservation, only9 pc is made available. "Dalits have been cheated by denying thefacility guaranteed under the Constitution," he alleged.

District convener of Dallit Sangharsha Samiti Sulikunte Ramesh,lecturer K Srinivasa and others were present on the occasion.

Agencies Posted online: Thursday , Dec 24, 2009 at 1940 hrs New Delhi : BJP President Nitin Gadkari had a word of praise for Rahul Gandhi saying the young Congress leader is doing a good job in spending time with Dalit families.

In reply to a question whether he felt Gandhi was visiting Dalit households, sharing meals and spending nights with those family for votebank politics, Gadkari said, "It's good, let him do it. My good wishes are with him, if he is doing a good job."

Earlier, in his interaction with the media, the new BJP chief said he did not believe in caste, sect or religion and contended there should be no discrimination on the basis of these factors.

"I say this from the core of my heart. Our (people from different religions) culture is the same," he said.

Though BJP believe in justice to all and appeasement of none, the party is widely misunderstood, he lamented. Gadkari defined as a "tragedy" the difference between BJP's "image" and the "reality".

He said his party believed in "rise of the last man in the queue (antyodaya)".

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Bhagat Singh finds a place not only among India's but world's greatestrevolutionaries. His life, work, struggle and the way he kissed andembraced death bring him in league of world's great revolutionariessuch as Socrates, Bruno, Joan of Arc, Che Guevara etc. His martyrdomwill continue to inspire many generations of revolutionaries tosacrifice their lives in defence of truth, justice and freedom. He wasa rare thinker. The mastery he could acquire in the art and science ofrevolution even at a tender age of twenty three when he died is veryrare. We still feel the loss that our country suffered on his untimelydeath. It was not for nothing that the British imperialists hanged himand the future rulers of India preferred to remain silent on his deathsentence.

We are well aware of Bhagat Singh's thoughts on topics such associalism, revolution, India's independence, working class movements,religion, god etc. His life and death centred around these concerns.We are generally not aware of his take on caste system as he has notwritten much on this. It may be due to the fact that he was a Sikhwhere caste based differentiation and discrimination is not as acuteas among the Hindus.

Yet his article 'Achoot Samasya' (The Untouchability Problem) is veryimportant because we get glimpses of his revolutionary thoughts onthis basic problem of Indian society. Now when in the post-mandalphase caste and dalit questions have acquired paramount importance insocio-political discourse it has become relevant to understand histhoughts on this question.

Bhagat Singh wrote this article in the month of June, 1928 as thevolume of his collected works indicates. Baba Saheb Bhim Rao Ambedkarhad already made history by burning 'Manusmriti' with his followers onDecember 25, 1927. On March 20, 1927 Baha Saheb with his followers hadtouched water of Mahad pond which was hitherto not accessible to theachoots (untouchables). Baba Saheb with his followers had beendemanding right of separate electorates from the British government.The year also witnessed the publication of Katherine Mayo's 'MotherIndia' and furore over the content of the book. Mahatma Gandhi dubbedthe book as a gutter inspector's report. The evils of Indianparticularly Hindu society were most nakedly, mercilessly andauthentically exposed in the book. The moral hypocrisy, insincerityand hollowness of the elites of Hindu society on the question oferadicating social evils were brought forth before the world. In hisarticle 'Achoot Samasya' Bhagat Singh has quoted a speech of NoorMohammad, a legislature in the then Bombay council, which also finds aplace in 'Mother India'. Not only this Bhagat Singh also quotes Mayo:'Those who would be free must themselves strike the blow'. Thus threemajor events of 1927 viz. Mahad Satyagrah, burning of Manusmriti andpublication of 'Mother India' had brought the social question onto thesurface of the national movement with a vengeance.

In a speech in Bombay council in 1926 Noor Mohammad had demolished theCongress demand for political rights from the British government. Hefamously spoke, "If the Hindu society refuses to allow other humanbeings, fellow creatures so that to attend public schools and if...thepresident of local boards representing so many lakhs of people in thishouse refuses to allow his fellows and brothers the elementary humanrights of having water to drink, what right have they to ask for morerights from the bureaucracy? Before we accuse people coming from otherlands, we should see how we ourselves behave towards our ownpeople.....How can we ask for greater political rights when weourselves deny elementary rights of human beings." Bhagat Singh quotesNoor Mohammad in original English and then translates it invernacular. He is not content with just quoting Noor Mohammad. Hewhole heartedly supports the stand of Noor Mohammad, "What he says isfully justified, but as he is a Muslim, he will be accused of pitchingfor conversion of untouchable Hindus in Islam." He then supportsreligious conversion, "If you treat him worse than animals, they willconvert to other religions, where they will get more human rights andwill be treated like human beings. Then your lament that the Muslimand the Christian are harming Hindu fold will be futile." In all thesequotes Bhagat Singh's thoughts are strikingly similar to those of DrAmbedkar. Yet one thing is remarkable that by 1928 when Bhagat Singhpenned this article Dr Ambedkar had not yet declared his intention toleave Hindu fold and to embrace other religion. The thoughts of BhagatSingh on religious conversions have become even more relevantparticularly in the backdrop of the then Prime Minister Atal BehariVajpayee's advocacy of national debate on religious conversion aftergruesome killings of Graham Staines and his two children. Till nowthey have been challenged by Dr Ambedkar's thoughts. Bhagat Singh'sthoughts too are confronting them.

Bhagat Singh recognised that the caste system basically promotescontemptuous feelings for labour and, therefore, has blocked India'srise. He writes in most simple words, ".....Disrespect for even urgenttypes of work grew among the people. We scorn the Julahas. Evenweavers are treated as untouchables. This has retarded ourdevelopment." Obviously Bhagat Singh links development to the socialjustice unlike the today's model of development where economicdevelopment has been completely delinked from social justice.

Bhagat Singh supported the untouchables' ('dalits' in today'sparlance) demands for separate electorate system. On this point alsohe is standing in league with Dr Ambedkar. On March 23, 1931 BhagatSingh was hanged along with his two comrades. Had he been alive hewould have supported Dr Ambedkar in his battle with Mahatma Gandhiover separate electorate system in 1932. He is unmistakable on thiscount, "We do understand that their organising themselves separatelyand, being equivalent to the Muslim in population, demandingequivalent rights, are welcome indications. Either do away with castebased discriminations or bestow separate rights to them. Councils andassemblies must strive to give them equal rights to avail facilitiesof schools and colleges, wells and roads. It should not be lip servicebut they themselves should lead them to public facilities. They shouldensure admission of their children in schools. But the moot questionis, in an assembly where in the name of religion people raise hue andcry over a legislative bill to curb child marriage, how can they dareto embrace the untouchables. It is, therefore, necessary that theyshould have their own representatives so that they are able to securemore rights for themselves." It is noteworthy that Dr Amedkar hadcrystallised the demand for separate electorate for dalits only byfirst round table conference in 1930. But other dalit protagonists hadbeen demanding separate electorate for themselves. By supportingseparate electorate for dalits Bhagat Singh stands in opposition tothe social imperialists and wins everlasting love, respect andconfidence of the dalits. Gandhiji too opposed practices ofuntouchability prevalent in the society but he was dead againstbestowing rights of separate electorate system to the dalits. Bysupporting dalits' demand for rights of separate electorate system heproved that he was their true friend. As Kanshiram has contended inhis famous polemic 'The Age of Stooges', the Poona Pact that deniedrights of separate electorate system to the dalits became the chieftool to prevent the emergence of independent leadership from among thedalits. To repeal Poona Pact and win right of separate electoratesystem for themselves is still occupying a place of prominence in theDalit agenda and therefore Bhagat Singh is still relevant for Dalitpolitics.

The militant Bhagat Singh suddenly turns bitter in his article andsays, "Laton Ke Bhoot Baton Se Nahi Bhagte" i.e. "Those fit to bethrashed cannot be dismissed by words." He goes on," Unite, be selfdependent and then challenge the whole of society. Then you will seeno one will dare to deny you your rights. Don't allow others todeceive you. Don't expect anything from others." But before this hearouses pride in dalits , " The so called untouchables, the trueservicemen and brothers of the people, rise. Know your history. Nonebut you were the muscle of the army of Guru Govind Singh. It was onyour strength that Shivaji could do what he did and for which Shivajiis still alive in history. Your sacrifices have been inscribed ingolden letters." Then he quotes Mayo, "Those who would be free mustthemselves strike the blow."

In this article Bhagat Singh puts forward an important formulationwhich still holds great importance for dalit politics. He warns dalitsagainst bureaucracy, "Don't get trapped by bureaucracy. They are notwilling to reach you help. Rather they are in look out how to make youpawns of their designs. This capitalistic bureaucracy is the realcause of your poverty and slavery. Never make an alliance with it.Beware of their machinations. Then everything will be set aright.."This is very important as Bhagat Singh does not blame directly theBritish regime for their miseries. Instead he takes an indirect routeto blame capitalistic bureaucracy. He does not even name it "Britishbureaucracy." So far as Bhagat Singh desists from directly blaming theBritish regime he is in conformity with Dr Ambedkar who too did notblame the Britishers directly for the ills of the dalit. However if wewatch the scenario of dalit politics today the words of Bhagat Singhappear prophetic. The biggest faultline of dalit politics today isthat it is heavily dependent on bureaucracy in two ways. First, ittakes guidance from dalit bureaucracy so far as fixing the agenda ofdalit politics is concerned. Second, dalit politics when it comes inpower like Mayawati has done in UP again depends entirely onbureaucracy for preparation as well as for implementation ofgovernment welfare measures. All talks are centred on how to increasedalit participation in state apparatuses. Dalit as well as otherpolitical parties professing their agenda of social justice are in thehabit of talking about that when they come in power they are helplessin reaching government welfare measures to the targeted populationbecause of low representation of SC/ST/OBC in bureaucracy. They areunable to understand that so far as Brahminic system continues therewill perhaps not come the day when bureaucracy will have sufficientSC/ST/OBC representation. It is the bureaucracy that supportsBrahminism and SC/ST/OBC bureaucrats are compelled to make compromisesin order to survive in the Brahminic bureaucracy. No system has everbeen changed by people who became part and parcel of that system.Despite sixty years of SC/ST and fifteen years of OBC reservation incentral services their percentage has remained abysmally low in eliteservices of IAS, IPS, IRS etc. The Hindustan Times, dated December 21,2009 carries a news item based on figures provided by Minister ofState for Personnel that states that of 88 Secretary level officers inGovernment of India there is no dalit, of 66 Additional Secretariesonly one is dalit, of 249 Joint Secretaries only 13 are dalits and of471 directors only 31 are dalits. So it is essential that besidesdoing everything to widen the scope of reservation so as to increaseSC/ST/OBC representation in bureaucracy our attention should also movetowards how to restructure the administrative system so as todecentralise and democratise it. Though SC/ST/OBC participation inbureaucracy has not reached to the desired level, we have seensubstantial increase in dalit bahujan legislators and people'srepresentatives in parliament, state assemblies and local governmentbodies. In a true and effective democratic set up, electedrepresentatives are everywhere entrusted and delegated the powers ofexecutives to oversee and supervise the implementation of governmentalprojects as well as maintenance of law and order. In our country inorder to vest power in the Brahminic bureaucracy the MLAs and MPs havebeen reduced to mere ceremonial figures having no authority in his orher constituency. An MLA or MP is a helpless onlooker of excesses of apolice and administrative officer in his or her constituency. Allpowers are concentrated in DMs, SPs and then in the Chief Minister ofthe province. It is not without reason that it is commonly commentedthat the administrative system of the country is run by DM (DistrictMagistrate), CM (Chief Minister) and PM (Prime Minister). Suchcentralised administrative system can never provide relief, welfareand succour to the poor and hapless citizens of the country of whomthe overwhelming majority are dalit bahujans. So the best course ofaction for the sake of democracy and dalit bahujan empowerment atgrass root level will be to take away to the maximum possible extentthe administrative powers from bureaucracy and devolve them to theelected people's representatives. In such a backdrop the observationand warning of Bhagat Singh to the dalits to beware of capitalisticbureaucracy assumes significance. Unfortunately, the dalit discoursespends all its energy in targeting Hindu religion to such an extentthat other pressing issues remain neglected. Capitalistic bureaucracyis one such issue that has seldom been taken up by dalit intellectualsin their discourse. State question has an important place in strategyand tactics of any democratic movement.

By the end of the article Bhagat Singh provides another importantformulation. He writes, "You are the real proletariat...getorganised." This is a great lesson to the Indian left who has nevertaken into account the social question in determining the class whowould provide vanguard sections of revolution. The dalits areeconomically and socially the most oppressed sections of Indiansociety. Hence Bhagat Singh takes the position that they are the realproletariats.

In Indian society the location of a person in the caste systemdetermines his consciousness. Capitalism in India is not more than onehundred fifty or two hundreds old but caste system dates back toancient times. So the social-political consciousness arising out ofhundreds of years old caste system is deeply ingrained in our psyche.Improvement in economic conditions of life may dampen revolutionaryfervour of an upper caste proletariat but may fuel socialconsciousness of a dalit proletariat. Improved economic conditions oflife may provide him the leisure in life giving him the opportunityand occasion to study the history of oppression, subjugation anddiscrimination faced by his ancestors. So the economic criteria alonecannot help a theorist of social revolution to determine which classis the real proletariat in the concrete social conditions of Indiansociety. By taking into account the social as well as economicconditions of life Bhagat Singh reaches at the conclusion that thedalits are the real proletariat of this land.

Bhagat Singh concludes the article, "Bring revolution through socialmovements and then be prepared for political and economicrevolutions." This is yet another important formulation of BhagatSingh. Right from Jotiba Phule to Dr Ambedkar all have stressed uponthe importance of social revolution in bringing about the finalrevolutions in political and economic sectors. Bhagat Singh whootherwise devoted major part of his short life for socialism andnational liberation did not digress much from India's great socialrevolutionaries in prescribing the trajectory of revolution. BhagatSingh had started off his revolutionary life by making nationalliberation from subjugation of British rule the sole preoccupation. Ina very short span of time he had realised that the ground forpolitical-economic revolution in India cannot be prepared unlesssocial revolution is effected. This was a great and stirring journeyof Bhagat Singh in the realm of philosophy.

(Note: All the quotations of Bhagat Singh from the article have beentranslated in English by this writer from the Hindi version. Thearticle in question has been taken from Bhagat Singh's collected workspublished by Rajkamal Prakashan)

FOUR NATIONAL AWARDS INSTITUTED FOR ERADICATING UNTOUCHABILITY 15:14 IST

YEAR END REVIEW-2009M/O SOCIAL JUSICE & EMPOWERMENT

As envisaged in the National Common Minimum Programme (NCMP) of theGovernment, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment iscommitted to carry forward the basic agenda of social justice andsecurity of the society at large. In the year 2009, many suchinitiatives were carried out to empower the weaker sections of thesociety. In fact, the mandate of the Ministry is to implement theschemes/programmes for educational, economic and social empowerment ofScheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, Persons with Disability,Senior Citizens and Victims of substance abuse. An outlay of Rs. 1730crore has been allocated for providing grants-in-aid to the NonGovernmental Organizations (NGOs) under various schemes/programmes tobe implemented by them for the welfare of these target groups duringthe Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-12).

While inaugurating a two day Conference of State Welfare/SocialJustice Ministers, the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh . statedthat Government has proposed to take up a new scheme on a pilot basis,called "Pradhan Mantri Adarsh gram Yojana" (PMAGY) for integrateddevelopment 0f 1,000 villages, each having more than 50% SCpopulation. Some of the important subjects, which were discussed inthe Conference included measures to curb atrocities against weakersections, implementation of Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan, rehabilitationof manual scavengers, Scholarship and Hostel Schemes for ScheduledCastes and Other Backward Classes, Amendments to Persons withDisabilities Act, Schemes in the Disability sector, and implementationof the Maintenance & Welfare of Parents & Senior Citizens Act, whichParliament had passed in December, 2007.

EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

The Ministry has initiated the process of amending the Persons withDisabilities Act, 1955 in order to harmonize it with the UnitedNations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities. TheMinistry has initiated the process of preparing the First CountryReport of India as per article 35 of the UN Convention on Rights ofPersons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), on measures taken to give effectto its obligations under the Convention and on progress made in thatregard, by May 2010. The State Governments/Union TerritoryAdministrations and Central Ministries/Departments have now been askedto furnish their action taken report, to prepare First Country Reportof India.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved revision ofthe Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme bein implemented by theMinistry, with an outlay of Rs.500 crore in the 11th Plan. Under thisscheme, Grant-in-aid is being provided to non-governmentalorganisations by the Central Government for rehabilitation of personswith disabilities. The CCEA also approved the revision of cost normsunder the scheme w.e.f. 1.4.2009, considering the increase in theConsumer Price Index since the cost norms were last revised in 1999.

The norms relating to stipend and transport allowance forbeneficiaries, honoraria for technical staff and building rent andmaintenance are being increased by 33-40%. Honorarium fornon-technical staff has been increased by about 25%. The increase forteaching and training material, equipment for vocational training andsports, computer hardware and specialized software ranges from 28% to50%. The additional financial implication of the revision of the costnorms is Rs.90 crore.This revision of the norms, which comes after a decade, will give aboost to the implementation of projects under the scheme that areimplemented by about 700 voluntary agencies, benefitting about 2 lakhpersons with disabilities across the country every year.

In 2008-09, 238 NGOs working in the field of rehabilitation ofMentally Retarded Children were provided financial assistance underthe Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS).

The National Handicapped Finance & Development Corporation (NHFDC) hasprovided 1% rebate on rate of interest to women with disabilities inall its financial schemesThe NHFDC has provided financial assistance to the tune of Rs. 211.79crore to about 43194 disabled people since its inception in 1997.

This Ministry promotes the self-employment of persons with visualimpairments through vocational training and loans on concessionalsrates. Their employment in the Government is mandated throughreservation, against identified suitable posts all levels. There hasbeen gradual increase in employment of persons with disabilities inthe Government. After continuous persuasion of the Ministry, 10organized civil services have been identified as suitable forappointment of persons with visual impairments'.

The Ministry has achieved significant progress in changing the overalllife style of persons with mental retardation. National Institute forthe Mentally Handicapped (NIMH), Secunderabad, Anhdra Pradesh, withregional centres at Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkota has, so far, producedabout 3000 professionals through various Long Term programmes andimparted short training service training to 1.84 lakh beneficiarieswhich include professionals, parents, teachers etc. They have providedservices to more than 56,000 persons with mental retardation tilldate. NIMH has provided technical support to many of the specialschools in the sector. The Institute has successfully completed 56research projects, produced more than 100 dissertations and haspublished & presented research papers in National and Internationaljournals conferences. It also has more than 90 publications in theform of books to its credit.

The Ministry has also proposed to simplify the certification procedurefor Persons with Disabilities which would not only simplify but alsodecentralize the process down to primary and community health centers. A fully accessible website will soon developed and launched shortly.The State governments are also urged to make their websites fullyaccessible to Persons with Disabilities.

DEVELOPMENT OF SCs AND OBCs

Eradicating Untouchability

Four National Awards, one for each Region, carrying amounts of Rs. 2lakh for individual activists and Rs. 5 lakh for non-GovernmentalOrganizations have been instituted for Eradicating Untouchability'.

Since inter-caste marriages are an effective instrument of combatingthe evil practice of casteism, the Chief Ministers of States have beenasked to consider increasing the incentive amount for inter-castemarriages to at least Rs. 50,000 of which 50 % would be borne by wayof central assistance. The State governments of Haryana, Orissa,Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have enhanced incentive amount to Rs.50,000. The Government of Uttar Pradesh also provides incentive amountof Rs. 50,000. The Government of Goa has increased the incentiveamount Rs. 1 lakh.

The State governments have been asked to enlist 25 most ghastly crimescommitted against SCs/STs and follow it up closely to provide forspeedy trial and ensuring of exemplary punishment to the perpetratorsof such atrocities. As pendency of court cases is very high, the StateGovernments may like to set up Exclusively Special Courts,particularly, in districts where high pendency, so that the casesregistered under POA Act are effectively disposed off. The Ministrywould provide 50 % central assistance towards setting up of ExclusiveSpecial Courts. Similarly, Special Police Stations in identifiedareas/atrocity prone areas may be set up to instill confidence andhelp in quick investigation of atrocities committed.

The State governments have also been requested that officers concernedwith the implementation of the provisions of the Acts are essentiallysensitized and imparted special training to familiarize them about thespecial laws. Besides, State Public Service Commission may alsoincorporate in their syllabus a compulsory paper on the subject of PCRand POA Acts.

'A new Scheme has been started in Dr. Ambedkar Foundation. The Schemeis in the nature of contingency arrangement to provide instantmonetary relief to the Scheduled Caste victims of relatively heinousoffences of atrocities under the Scheduled Castes and the ScheduledTribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The relief amount up toRs. 5 lakh is payable to each victim with the approval of theChairperson of the Foundation. In case of the murder of an earningmember of a family the quantum of relief has been enhanced from Rs. 2lakh to Rs. 5 lakh. This relief amount is in addition to theadmissible relief amount under Rule 12 (4) of the Scheduled Castes andthe Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities), Rules, 1995. Anamount of Rs. 1 crore per year is earmarked for the Scheme'.

'Another new scheme called "Babu Jagjivan Ram National Relief to SCVictims of Atrocities Scheme" has also been formulated in BabuJagjivan Ram National Foundation under the Ministry.. The Scheme wouldbe in the nature of contingency arrangement to provide instantmonetary relief to the victims of relatively heinous offences ofatrocities under POA Act. The relief amount upto Rs. 5 lakh would bepaid to each victim. This relief amount is in addition to theadmissible relief amount under Rule 12 (4) of the Scheduled Castes andthe Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities), Rules, 1995',informed the Minister.

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes has installed a Toll FreeConnection at its Headquarters (No. 1800118888) to receive distresscalls from victims or on their behalf. Under Rules 16 and 17 of thePOA Rules, 1995, the meetings of the State and District levelVigilance and Monitoring Committee should be held regularly, as perthe periodicity prescribed, to review the implementation of POA Act,regularly.

Details of budget allocation made under various schemes for ScheduledCastes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs)during the last three years is as under:

(Rs. in crore)

Programme/Schemes

2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

I Scheduled Castes

1135.50

1450.50

1685.50

II. Scheduled Tribes

1656.90

1719.71

2121.00

III. Other Backward Classes

86.99

149.50

202.50

The Ministry has requested for suitable enhancement in the XI Planoutlay for its various schemes.

NSKFDC

The Union Cabinet gave its approval to the enhancement in theauthorized share capital of National Safai Karamcharis Finance &Development Corporation (NSKFDC).100% equity contribution is provided to NSKFDC out of the CentralGovernment budget. The existing authorized share capital of theCorporation is Rs.200 crore, which has been fully paid up.Accordingly, a proposal was placed before the Cabinet to enhance theauthorized share capital of NSKFDC from the existing Rs.200 crore toRs.300 crore to enable higher coverage of Safai Karamcharis under itsschemes. It is expected that as a result of enhancement in theauthorized share capital to Rs.300 crore approximately 40,000additional beneficiaries will be covered during remaining period of XIPlan.

NSKFDC provides concessional loans to manual scavengers and safaikaramcharis and their dependents for economically and financiallyviable income generating and self employment projects, and grants fortraining of beneficiaries. Upto 2007-08, NSKFDC has assisted 1.57 lakhsafai karamcharis and their dependents. During this period, theGovernment provided equity support of Rs.199.99 crore and theCorporation extended loan of Rs.390.46 crore through its StateChannelising Agencies.Tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis has now beenextended by a further period of one year beyond 31.03.209, i.e. upto31.03.2010.

National Backward Classes FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (NBCFDC)has achieved a distinction of being the recipient of MOU Awardbecoming one of the top Ten PSEs for the fourth time in 2006-07 ratedby the Department of Public Enterprises, Government of India.

Construction of Hostels for SC & OBC Boys and Girls

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved revision of theexisting Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Construction of Hostel for SC &OBC Boys and Girls (OBC component) during the remaining period of 11thFive year Plan with the following norms:

(i) Existing cost sharing pattern with States is 50:50. This will bechanged to 90:10 in the case of North-Eastern States including Sikkim,while the existing pattern will continue in the case of other States.

(ii) So far, there was no involvement of NGOs in implementation of theScheme. After this revision, suitable voluntary organisations willalso be eligible to receive assistance under the Scheme. Fundingpattern for them will be 45% each by Central and State Governments and10% by NGOs.

(iii) A new component of financial assistance has been approved i.e. aone-time non-recurring grant @ Rs.2500/- per student will be providedfor essential furniture and equipment.

(iv) Under the existing Scheme, there have been wide variations in theper unit cost of the hostels received from the State Governments and aneed was felt to bring about some uniformity in the minimum physicalinfrastructure provided to OBC students. Accordingly, minimum physicaland financial norms for a 100 seated hostel has been approved asunder:

(a) The total built up area of a hostel will be 1215 sq.mtr. includingdormitory, kitchen, and dining hall, toilet/bath, common room/readingroom, medical room, staff quarter etc. which means the built up areaper resident will be 12.15 sq.mtr.

(b) The total cost of a hostel including the cost of construction andother essential / recreational facilities will be approximatelyRs.1.37 crore which will be shared between the Centre and State, whichmeans the cost per seat will be about Rs.1.40 lakh.

(c) The above minimum physical and financial norms have been approvedfor betterment of the existing hostel conditions. However, the StateGovernments may provide additional facilities to the residents at ahigher cost and such additional cost will have to be borne by theStates.

The constitution enjoins upon the State to promote with special carethe educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of thepeople. The Centrally sponsored Scheme of Construction of Hostels forSC and OBC Boys and Girls (OBC Component) is being implemented since1998-99 to address the problem of educational backwardness of OBCs.Many a time, rural students especially from those belonging to weakersections have to give up their pursuit of education because theirvillages do not have Secondary schools and colleges and adequatehostel facilities are not available for them at reasonable cost, atplaces where such educational institutions are available. Therefore,the Scheme for OBCs provides assistance to State Governments forconstruction of hostels up to 100 seats capacity for OBC boys andGirls studying at School and college level. At least 1/3rd of thehostels are meant to be constructed exclusively for girls and 5% ofthe total seats are reserved for disabled students. However, studentsbelonging to the creamy layer (income limit of which is currently Rs.4.50 lakh per annum) are not eligible for admission to these hostels.

The Scheme is being implemented through the State Governments andUnion Territory Administrations while Voluntary organizations are noteligible for financial assistance under the existing scheme. Centralassistance to States is provided on a 50:50 basis, while 100%assistance is provided to UTs and Central Government Institutions.

The allocation of funds under the Scheme for the remaining two yearsof 11th Plan i.e. 2010-2012 is Rs.209 crore. It is proposed tosanction about 30,000 number of seats under the revised Scheme duringthe period 2010-2012.

The OBC students whose parents' income does not exceed Rs.4.50 lakhper annum will be benefited with the result that the target group willget access to residential accommodation, while pursuing studies awayfrom home.

The scheme addresses the problem of educational backwardness of OBCstudents and their social integration with the mainstream of societyby helping them in pursuit of their education through adequate hostelfacilities in the vicinity of educational institutions to bring aboutequity in the society.Laying down of physical and financial norms will bring aboutuniformity and improve accountability of grantee State/GovernmentInstitutions / NGOs etc.

The expenditure involved is Rs.209 crore for 2010-12 for about 30000 seats.

Under the revised Scheme, it is proposed to cover un-served districtsof different States where adequate hostel facilities are not availablefor OBC students.

The Scheme is being implemented from 1998-99 and notrevised so far. The scheme aims at providing better educationalopportunities to students belonging to OBCs. Since the inception ofthe scheme and up to the 10th Plan (2006-07), 573 hostels (39606seats) have been sanctioned. During the first year of the 11th Plan,95 hostels with 6025 seats have been sanctioned. During 2008-09, a sumof Rs.34.55 crore has been sanctioned to States for construction of117 hostels with 8315 seats.

SOCIAL DEFENCE

Elderly

The Government of India is committed to ensure the well being of theolder persons which also includes Dementia. In this regard, amongvarious other initiatives, a National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP);Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 wereintroduced. Integrated Scheme for Older Persons has been introducedfor improving the quality of life of the elderly which includes schemesuch as running of Day Care Centres for Alzheimer's Disease/DementiaPatients, etc.

The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, wasenacted in 2007. The Act comes into force upon notification by theState Govts./UTs. National Council for Older Persons, which is an ApexNational level Consultative body inter-alia also monitors the progressof implementation of the Act. The State governments and UTs arerequired to notify the Act for implementation. As per the provisionsof the Act the existing infrastructure and functionaries of thedistrict like District Social Welfare Officer, Sub-DivisionalMagistrate and District Magistrate are required to be notified asMaintenance officers, heads of Maintenance Tribunals and AppellateTribunals under the Act. So far, 22 States and all UTs have notifiedthe Act and are taking action in this regard.

The Government is implementing a Central Sector Scheme namely,"Integrated Programme for Older Persons" under which financialassistance is provided to Non-Governmental Organizations on the basisof the recommendation of the concerned State Government. During2008-09, so far, 258 Old Age Homes were assisted through NGOs and 6450beneficiaries were covered across the country.

Prevention of Drug Abuse

To prevent the younger generation from falling prey to drugs, theMinistry is focusing its attention on adolescents and youth in schooland colleges, who are particularly vulnerable. Initiatives are beingtaken to include appropriate material in school curriculum and workout Training of Teachers module for the sensitization of teachers andparents in the school environment. The intervention in schools andcolleges needs to be strengthened.

The National Consultative Committee on De-addiction and Rehabilitation(NCCDR) has assigned a Sub-Committee the task of drafting the NationalPolicy on prevention of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse andrehabilitation of its victim.

The Government has been making concerted efforts at various levels totackle the problem. Referring to the Scheme for Prevention ofAlcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse which was launched by theMinistry in 1985-86, the Ministry has set up a wide network of supportsystems with NGOs all over the Country. Starting with just five NGOsin 1985-86, the Ministry today supports around 400 drug de-addictioncentres. During the year 2008-09 grant-in-aid for Rs. 21 Crore wasprovided to the NGOs under the scheme. The Scheme has been revised andcertain new features have been introduced such as enhanced rates ofhonorarium to the service providers in de-addiction centres; provisionfor free food for BPL beneficiaries; financial assistance toPanchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies for runningprojects under the scheme etc.

National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), which is an autonomousbody of the Ministry, is regularly organizing training programmes forcapacity building of NGOs. In addition, eight expert NGO's with longexperience and expertise in treatment, rehabilitation, training andresearch are functioning as Regional Resource & Training Centers. AManual of Minimum Standards for Programmes under the Scheme forPrevention of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse prepared by NISD was alsolaunched.

Under the revised Central sector Scheme for Prevention of Alcoholismand Substance (Drug) Abuse effective from October, 2008 Panchayati Rajinstitutions are also eligible for central assistance for setting upIntegrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (IRCA) and taking upother drug de-addiction activities specified in the scheme. Duringlast 3 years are 31 De-addiction Centers were opened in 14 Statesunder the scheme.

Actual releases made to NGOs under the Scheme for Prevention ofAlcoholism and Substance (drug) abuse during last three years from2006-2009 have been to the tune of Rs. 6741.63 lakh and State wiseNotional allocation under the scheme in the current year has been Rs.35 lakh.

Presently, 362 NGOs are being funded for running 401 de-addictioncentres all over the country under the Scheme of Assistance forPrevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse.

Recently, a methodology discourse was organized by Network for SocialAccountability (NSA) and Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti (BGVS)-Orissa on apilot research activity for developing a "District Level CitizenReport Cards on Implementation of Scheduled Caste Sub Plan in Orissa". The primary purpose of this effort was to put in place a system ofcivil society monitoring for this critical public intervention calledScheduled Caste Sub Plan in Orissa. A preliminary analysis ofsecondary information related to the implementation of Scheduled CasteSub Plan in Orissa is brought out in the form of a policy brieftitled, "Brief No-356: Implementation of the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan(SCSP) in Orissa -By Sashiprava Bindhani and Siba Sankar Mohanty".Please follow the link to read the analysis. <http://nsa.org.in/Policybrief/2009/356SashipravaSibaSCSP.htm >